Christian's POV

He knows everything. Christian knows everything. In a way it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but then I have this unnerving feeling that the worst has yet to come.

Christian is making me stay at Escala for the night, which does not make me too happy. No matter how much I beg for him to take me home, he absolutely refuses to listen to it. To be honest I don't want to go back there. I feel safe here with Christian. Things almost feel normal. Well, as normal as things between us could get. The last thing I want to do is leave, but I know that Kevin is going to notice if I don't come home. He'll notice and then he'll send out a search party to find me. I don't even want to think about my punishment if he ever found me…

"I still don't understand." Christian softly speaks above me. I'm lying on his bed wearing nothing but a bra and underwear while he rubs some type of lotion all over my body. His hands are cautiously moving over my body and gently smear the soothing cream over my imperfect skin. His large hands feel so good on me. I forgot what it feels like to be touch by someone. My skin tingles where his touches mine, but there's nothing sexual about it. I just lay flat on the bed and live in this moment.

"Understand what?" I reply to his question.

"Why you stayed with him for so long." He doesn't hide the sadness in his voice. He works on my lower back while I think about his question. It's one that I've asked myself numerous times before.

"I guess I was hoping that things would get better" I say. "That he would stop everything and turn into an actual person." It's a lame excuse, I know, but it's all I can manage. "I was scared. I still am." I speak into the soft covers.

Christian's hands pause over my back. I feel his lips trace a pattern over my bare shoulder. "You don't have to be, Ana." He kisses my skin. "You're with me now." Another kiss. "You're never going back." I can't help but smile at his comforting words.

"What am I going to do, Christian?" I sign into the pillow. I'm so tired.

"I've told you; let me take care of it." I feel his large body lay next to mine. I turn my head to see that his face is just inches away from mine. He looks so handsome with his bright gray eyes, his copper hair, his high cheekbones, his full lips that are slightly parted…

"You are so beautiful, Anastasia." He runs the tips of his fingers over my cheeks. I feel the heat rush to my face. "Ah, how I've missed that blush." He chuckles and smooth's the hair away from my face. I laugh along with him. God, when was the last time I've laughed?

"You're not going to do anything drastic…are you?" I ruin the mood. I know how Christian reacts. He's not going to let this Kevin thing slide through his fingers.

I immediately regret opening my mouth. His mouth closes to make a firm, straight line. His eyes become dark and stormy. His nostrils flare and I can hear him grinding his teeth.

"Christian?" I try to get his attention. I don't want him to go to some dark place in his mind. I need him to stay with me right now. I need him to be my rock.

"I'll do what I have to do, Ana." His voice holds no emotion. Cold shivers run through my body. He can't do anything stupid. He just can't.

"Stay with me." I whisper. I put my hands on his cheek. "Don't leave." I drop my head onto his shoulder.

He snaps out of his trance and wraps an arm around me. "I won't." He says into my hair. His hands run smooth circles over my back. "We stay together."

"Good." I say and snuggle deeper into his chest. I don't care if things are a mess right now. This is exactly where I want to be. I feel safe in this man's arms. I feel loved, I feel cherished, I feel like my old self. WE lay like this for a long time. My head rests on Christian's chest while his arms are around me and our legs are entertained together.

"Are you tired?" I hear him whisper into my ear. My eyes are heavy and my mind is exhausted. My body begs for sleep, but I force my eyes to stay open. I feel like a child who refuses to go to bed when told. This moment is so perfect. I don't want it to end.

"No." I mumble into his chest. We probably look so strange together. Christian is still dressed in his dress pants and shirt while I'm in my bra and panties that don't even match.

I say I'm not tired, but my body betrays me and I let out a huge yawn that causes my eyes to water. I hear Christian chuckle as he sits up on the bed. He brings me up with him and my head spins. "I do believe that someone is tired." He gets off the bed and goes over to the dresser. He pulls out a pair of gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt.

"I think you'll be more comfortable in these." He helps me put on the clothes that hang off me in every way possible. The fabric smells just like him. The scent instantly calms me.

"Thank you." I tell him. He stands in front of me and it almost feels awkward. I'm assuming that he's leaving me to sleep in here. However, it he changes his mind, then I won't object to sleeping next to him.

"Sleep well, Ana." He says. He cups my cheek and bends down so close that our noses touch. He doesn't make a move and I realize that he's waiting for me to control the situation. He wants me to kiss him. Do I want to kiss him? To feel his lips pressed up against mine? Do I even know how to kiss anymore?

My body reacts before my mind does. My lips crash against his and butterflies invade my stomach. His lips move soft and gentle against my own. His sweet breath mingles with mine and I take in all in. My hands fist themselves into his hair and his tangle into mine as well. Our lips continue their dance while our bodies move closer and closer. One of Christian's hands stray from my hair and slide down to rest on my lower back. He pulls me closer, but in doing so he presses on one of my fresher bruises. Pain radiates up my body and my eyes flash open. I yelp in surprise and pain and Christian breaks the kiss immediately.

"Shit, Ana. I'm sorry." He traps my face in his hands and stares into my eyes. His are wide, bright, and full of concern.

"Christian, I'm fine." I smile at him. Bubbles flow up my throat and I laugh. I laugh because I'm happy. At this very moment I am truly happy.

"God, I've missed you." He smiles down at me.

"I've missed you, too."

"You need to sleep now. It's been a long day." He takes my hand and leads me to the top of the giant bed. He pulls back the covers and motions for me to climb inside. I slip into the soft sheets and sigh in pure pleasure when my head hits the downy pillows. Christian pulls the covers up to my neck and bends down to give me a quick kiss goodnight. "Sweet dreams, baby." He says against my lips. "I'll be right outside if you need me." He steps back and goes over to the door.

"Goodnight, Christian." He smiles and nods before turning off the light and softy shutting the door behind him.

My eyes flash open to find nothing but darkness. The covers are all bundled around me and a thin layer of sweat is caked over my skin. It was just a nightmare. Kevin hasn't really found me. I'm safe here with Christian.

I peel the covers off my body and slide out of the bed. I step out into the hallway and go search for Christian. I expect to find him in the living room area where all the couches are, but he's not there. I walk into the media room and find a small table light turned on and some sheets spread out on the couch, but there's no sign of Christian.

Oh, no. Where in the hell is he? If he's no here then…shit! He's gone after Kevin. He's going to find Kevin and do something really stupid.

I bolt into the bedroom, grab my shoes, and head straight to the elevator. Down in the garage I notice that the SUV is peaked in its usual spot, which means that Taylor is still here. There's no sign of Christian's R8. Fucking hell.

I don't even think about what I'm doing. I run out of the garage and out into the Seattle streets. I'm not even sure what time it is. It seems like that awkward time where you're not sure if it's late night or early morning.

I run onto a corner and wave my hands around wildly until a yellow taxi screeches next to me. I hop in and tell the driver where to go. It's about a ten minute drive and I thank God when I find a couple of bills in my pockets. My heart stops in my chest and my body goes cold when I spot the Audi sitting on the street right outside the apartment.